Leadership in 21st Century Organizations from Coursera

Meet Jim Barton, the new CEO of Santa Monica Aerospace. Jim's job won't be easy: the company's hemorrhaging cash, struggling to regain investors' trust after an accounting scandal, and striving to transform its culture to become a more global competitor. In this course, you’ll travel with Jim as he takes on leadership challenges ranging from strategy execution, to inspiring people, to maintaining an ethical approach. Experts agree that twentieth-century leadership practices are inadequate for the stormy twenty-first-century present. This provocative course equips you with the insights you'll need to rise with the occasion of a rapidly shifting business landscape.

The course is based on a book, Harder Than I Thought: Adventures of a 21st Century Leader, by Robert D. Austin, Richard L. Nolan, and Shannon O'Donnell, published by Harvard Business Review Press. Purchase of the book is optional. If you want more information about the book or wish to buy it, see https://hbr.org/product/harder-than-i-thought-adventures-of-a-twenty-first/an/10332-HBK-ENG or http://www.amazon.com/Harder-Than-Thought-Adventures-Twenty-First/dp/1422162591

After taking the course, you'll be able to:

o Enact your own personal leadership approach, derived from your ongoing evaluation of how Jim Barton has handled his leadership situation, as well as from established leadership concepts and frameworks;

o Avoid leadership actions that might have worked in the past, but are not suited to a newly challenging 21st century world;

o Navigate treacherous new 21st century leadership challenges, such as greater reliance on specialized workers or the need to respond to external scrutiny in an increasingly transparent world (and many more);

o Avoid "slippery slope" ethical failures, and think more clearly about the separation between public and private life for a 21st century leader.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Preview and Intro

Join Jim Barton on a leadership journey...that quickly becomes tougher than expected!

Taking on a New Leadership Role

So you've been presented with a new leadership "opportunity"...should you accept it? Should Jim Barton have taken this job? How would YOU decide?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Delves into the challenges and opportunities of 21st century leadership

Taught by multiple instructors with diverse experiences and insights

Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their leadership skills in complex and rapidly evolving business environments

Provides practical tools and frameworks to navigate 21st century leadership challenges

Builds on established leadership concepts while addressing emerging trends and challenges

Features real-world case studies and examples to illustrate the complexities of 21st century leadership

Reviews summary

Case-based approach to 21st century leadership

According to learners, this course provides valuable insights into modern leadership challenges using a highly engaging case study format, centered around the fictional CEO Jim Barton. Students found the material practical and applicable to their own professional lives. While the optional book adds depth, many felt the course content alone was sufficient and well-structured. A common theme was the course's ability to make complex ethical and strategic dilemmas relatable and thought-provoking. Some mentioned needing to dedicate significant time for reflection to fully grasp the concepts. Overall, it's seen as a solid foundation for understanding leadership in today's world.

Optional book adds depth but isn't required.

"While the course is based on a book, I felt the lectures and materials provided were sufficient without needing to purchase it."

"The book adds more detail, but the course stands alone well and covers the main points effectively."

"I appreciated that the book was optional; the course itself felt complete."

Requires significant personal reflection time.

"To truly benefit, you need to invest time not just watching videos but reflecting on the case and your own leadership approach."

"The course content is dense and requires thoughtful consideration beyond the video lectures."

"I needed more time than initially expected for processing the ideas and applying them to my context."

Material holds attention and prompts thought.

"The storytelling aspect kept me engaged throughout the entire course."

"It made me think deeply about how I would handle similar leadership dilemmas presented in the case."

"I enjoyed the way the course connected theory to the narrative, making it easy to follow and interesting."

Offers strategies applicable to professional life.

"I found the content on navigating ethical challenges and managing talent particularly relevant to my job."

"The sections on leading change and crisis were directly applicable to situations I've faced at work."

"This course gave me practical tools and a framework for thinking about leadership decisions in complex situations."

Learning through real-world business cases.

"The course is based on a case study format (Jim Barton's journey) which is engaging and allows you to see how concepts play out."

"I really enjoyed following Jim Barton's story throughout the modules; it made the abstract concepts feel very concrete."

"This case-based approach made the course much more relatable than just straight lectures on theory."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Leadership in 21st Century Organizations with these activities:

Watch video tutorials on leadership development

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Gain additional perspectives on leadership by watching tutorials from experts in the field.

Browse courses on Leadership Development

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Search for video tutorials on leadership development.
Select tutorials that cover topics relevant to your interests or learning goals.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key points.

Review the basics of leadership

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Familiarize yourself with the fundamental concepts of leadership to set a solid foundation for the course.

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Read the course syllabus and introductory materials.
Review notes or readings from previous courses on leadership or management.
Watch videos or listen to podcasts on leadership topics.

Read 'Harder Than I Thought: Adventures of a 21st Century Leader'

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Gain insights from real-world leadership experiences and challenges by reading the book upon which the course is based.

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Read the book thoroughly.
Take notes on key concepts and insights.

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Organize a study group with classmates

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Engage with peers, exchange insights, and enhance your understanding of course concepts.

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Reach out to classmates and form a study group.
Set regular meeting times and locations.
Establish ground rules for participation and discussion.

Practice applying leadership concepts

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Engage in exercises that allow you to apply the leadership concepts discussed in the course.

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Participate in case study discussions or simulations.
Complete online quizzes or assessments.
Conduct role-playing exercises with classmates or colleagues.

Develop a leadership development plan

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Create a personalized plan to enhance your leadership skills and capabilities.

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Reflect on your current leadership strengths and areas for improvement.
Set specific and measurable leadership goals.
Identify resources and activities to support your development.
Create a timeline and milestones for achieving your goals.

Create a leadership presentation

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Develop your communication and leadership skills by creating a presentation on a relevant topic.

Browse courses on Leadership Communication

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Practice delivering your presentation.
Choose a leadership topic of interest.
Research and gather information on the topic.
Develop an outline and structure for your presentation.
Create slides and visuals to support your content.

Contribute to an open-source leadership project

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Engage with the broader leadership community and participate in collaborative projects.

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Identify an open-source project related to leadership.
Join the project community and learn about its goals.
Contribute to the project in a meaningful way.
Network with other contributors and learn from their experiences.

Career center

Learners who complete Leadership in 21st Century Organizations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chief Executive Officer

The CEO is responsible for the overall success of an organization. This course may be useful for CEOs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as globalization, technological change, and increasing stakeholder scrutiny. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Executive Officer

Chief Operating Officer

The COO is responsible for the day-to-day operations of an organization. This course may be useful for COOs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a diverse workforce, increasing productivity, and improving customer service. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Operating Officer

Chief Financial Officer

The CFO is responsible for the financial health of an organization. This course may be useful for CFOs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing risk, increasing profitability, and improving financial reporting. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Financial Officer

Chief Marketing Officer

The CMO is responsible for the marketing and sales of an organization's products or services. This course may be useful for CMOs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a global brand, increasing customer engagement, and improving marketing ROI. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Marketing Officer

Chief Information Officer

The CIO is responsible for the information technology systems of an organization. This course may be useful for CIOs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing data security, implementing new technologies, and improving IT efficiency. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Information Officer

Chief Human Resources Officer

The CHRO is responsible for the human resources of an organization. This course may be useful for CHROs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a diverse workforce, attracting and retaining top talent, and developing future leaders. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chief Human Resources Officer

Project Manager

Project managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may be useful for project managers, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing stakeholder expectations, managing risk, and communicating effectively. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Consultant

Consultants provide advice to organizations on a variety of topics. This course may be useful for consultants, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing client relationships, developing effective solutions, and communicating complex ideas. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course may be useful for entrepreneurs, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing risk, raising capital, and marketing a new product or service. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Nonprofit Executive Director

Nonprofit executive directors lead nonprofit organizations. This course may be useful for nonprofit executive directors, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a diverse stakeholder group, fundraising, and advocating for social change. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Executive Director

Educator

Educators teach students at all levels. This course may be useful for educators, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a diverse classroom, motivating students, and using technology in the classroom. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators manage the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations. This course may be useful for healthcare administrators, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a complex healthcare system, improving patient care, and reducing costs. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Government Official

Government officials manage the day-to-day operations of government agencies. This course may be useful for government officials, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a diverse constituency, making policy decisions, and communicating with the public. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Official

Operations Manager

Operations managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a company. This course may be useful for operations managers, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a global supply chain, improving productivity, and reducing costs. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Sales Manager

Sales managers are responsible for the sales of a company's products or services. This course may be useful for sales managers, as it provides insights into 21st century leadership challenges such as managing a sales team, developing effective sales strategies, and closing deals. The course also provides a framework for developing a personal leadership approach that is aligned with the demands of the 21st century.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager